fbpx
Bronze Winner of the Design Skill Awards 2025

Liberdade Apartment

Interior

Best Residential Interior Design

Completed / Professional

dsa-cover-image-dsa253e26ac9c85-q.jpeg

Architect / Designer:

Cristina Fonseca and Emanuel Sousa

Studio:

Studio A+1

Design Team:

Cristina Fonseca
Emanuel Sousa
Voon Wong
Antonio Pinto
Beatriz Baptista
Rui Varajao

Copyright:

Joao Guimaraes

Country:

Portugal

This rehabilitation project of a 250m² apartment on the prestigious Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon emphasizes the striking contrast between bold, vibrant colors and soft pastel tones. The design focuses on creating a dynamic visual experience while maintaining a refined, sophisticated atmosphere. The combination of these colors enhances the architectural elements and creates a balance between modernity and tradition, in keeping with the historic and protected nature of the building.

A central feature of the project is the lighting design, which plays a crucial role in highlighting the apartment’s original, intricately worked ceilings, as well as showcasing the client’s art collection. Custom-designed lighting fixtures and strategic placement ensure that the ceilings and artworks are illuminated in a way that accentuates their beauty and details, creating a warm, inviting ambiance throughout the space.

The use of traditional Portuguese tiles (azulejos) is a key element in the design, paying homage to the country’s rich cultural heritage. These tiles are incorporated into the apartment’s interiors, adding a sense of authenticity and local charm. The azulejos are thoughtfully integrated into both functional and decorative aspects of the design, creating a seamless blend of classic craftsmanship and contemporary elegance.

This project not only highlights the history of the space but also celebrates Lisbon’s cultural identity, offering a modern, luxurious living experience that respects the city’s architectural legacy. The careful attention to lighting, color, and traditional craftsmanship ensures a harmonious blend of old and new, making the apartment a truly unique and distinctive home

Studio A+1

Studio A+1 is a Portuguese architecture studio recognized for its thoughtful and contemporary approach to design. The practice seeks to create spaces that respond sensitively to their context, balancing functionality, materiality, and emotion.

The studio’s trajectory is closely intertwined with the profiles of its founding partners, Cristina Fonseca and Emanuel Sousa, whose combined experience and complementary visions shape Studio A+1 identity. Guided by a collaborative and research-based process, they develop projects across diverse scales — from private residences to public and cultural buildings — with a strong commitment to sustainability and spatial quality.

Their work reflects a deep respect for place, light, and proportion, aiming to craft architecture that is both timeless and human-centered.